Texas SB493: Relating to protection of certain disclosures and communications by pharmacists and pharmacies regarding prescription drug benefits.

What the bill says

An act relating to protection of certain disclosures and communications by pharmacists and pharmacies regarding prescription drug benefits.

From the enrolled text, May 22, 2025:

AN ACT relating to protection of certain disclosures and communications by pharmacists and pharmacies regarding prescription drug benefits. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 4151, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 4151.155 to read as follows: [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 4151.155.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: CERTAIN DISCLOSURES AND COMMUNICATIONS BY ] [ADDED: PHARMACIST OR PHARMACY PROTECTED. (a) ][ADDED: ][ADDED: A pharmacy benefit manager ] [ADDED: may not, by contract or otherwise, prohibit or restrict a ] [ADDED: pharmacist or pharmacy from informing an enrollee of any difference ] [ADDED: between the enrollee's out-of-pocket cost for a prescription drug ] [ADDED: under the enrollee's prescription drug benefit and the ] [ADDED: out-of-pocket cost without submitting a claim under the enrollee's ] [ADDED: prescription drug benefit.] [ADDED: (b)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: A provision in a pharmacy benefit manager's pharmacy ] [ADDED: benefit network contract is void and unenforceable if the provision ] [ADDED: prohibits or restricts a pharmacist or pharmacy from:] [ADDED: (1)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: informing an enrollee of any difference between ] [ADDED: the enrollee's out-of-pocket cost for a prescription drug under the ] [ADDED: enrollee's prescription drug benefit and the out-of-pocket cost ] [ADDED: without submitting a claim under the enrollee's prescription drug ] [ or] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: communicating with plan …

Sponsors

• Lois Kolkhorst (R, SD-018) · primary sponsor
• Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
• Molly Cook (D, SD-015)
• Kevin Sparks (R, SD-031)
• Royce West (D, SD-023)
• Trey Wharton (R, HD-012)

Latest actions

1. June 20, 2025: Effective on 9/1/25
2. June 20, 2025: Signed by the Governor
3. May 23, 2025: Sent to the Governor
4. May 23, 2025: Signed in the House
5. May 23, 2025: Signed in the Senate
6. May 22, 2025: Reported enrolled
7. May 22, 2025: Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
8. May 22, 2025: Record vote
9. May 22, 2025: Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
10. May 22, 2025: Read

Votes

• Insurance Committee Vote (Out of committee): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Health & Human Services Committee Vote (Out of committee): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Senate concurs in House amendment(s) (May 22, 2025): 31 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3659 (May 20, 2025): 83 yea, 55 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3042 (May 20, 2025): 147 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3782 (May 19, 2025): 122 yea, 18 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB493?

SB493 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to protection of certain disclosures and communications by pharmacists and pharmacies regarding prescription drug benefits.

What does SB493 do?

In its own words: An act relating to protection of certain disclosures and communications by pharmacists and pharmacies regarding prescription drug benefits.

What is the status of SB493?

Signed into law as of June 20, 2025. Latest action: Effective on 9/1/25 (June 20, 2025).

Who sponsored SB493?

Lois Kolkhorst (R, SD-018), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB493?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB00493